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Plans for Thai entry tax criticised

Plans for a 500 baht (£10) per person entry charge were announced earlier this week – those arriving overland from a neighbouring country, or those that stay for less than three days, would pay a reduced 30 baht (60p) fee.

It is hoped the tax, which could be introduced in January, will help the Thai government clear tourists’ unpaid medical bills and help attract more “quality” holidaymakers.

But Derek Moore, chairman of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO), said the proposal was another instance of governments viewing travellers as an “easy target”.

“Imposing such a tax is cavalier and shows a lack of understanding in tourism,” he told Travel Weekly, the travel news publication. “It almost reminds me of the behaviour of the British government over Air Passenger Duty, which sees a tax on travel as fair game.”

A spokeswoman for Premier Holidays said it had raised the issue with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). “It’s only £10 but it all adds up – that’s £40 for a family of four,” she said. “We are working with the Thai tourist board to make sure it doesn’t come in.”

TAT insisted that the proposal is “one of several ideas” being considered by the government. It claims that foreign tourists travelling without the correct insurance cost the country around 200 million baht (£4m) each year in unpaid medical bills.

It added that the proposal also formed part of the government’s plans to target “quality” tourists and encourage more high-spending, long-stay visitors.

There has also been discussion about the introduction of compulsory travel insurance for tourists entering the country - another idea proposed to help resolve the problem of unpaid hospital bills - but this has yet to be implemented.